Excavations at Rathgall, Co. Wicklow.

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Rathgall Hillfort is perhaps one of the most important, iconic and well-known monuments in Irish archaeology.  This publication presents the excavations at Rathgall, Co. Wicklow, conducted by Barry Raftery, formerly Professor of Celtic Archaeology at University College Dublin. Although Raftery published aspects of the site primarily in the 1970s, he passed away before he could finalise a comprehensive account. This volume aims to present his work alongside new data from post-excavation analysis conducted between 2010 and 2013. Raftery’s original voice is preserved, with editorial comments adding clarification where necessary. His draft text is juxtaposed with discussions of alternative scenarios that emerged from recent analyses, including finalised site drawings and photographs.

‘The present volume assuredly joins Barry’s other great contributions to Ireland’s archaeology, from his studies of La Tène material culture in the 1980s by way of his leadership of wetland investigations to Pagan Celtic Ireland—in sum, a remarkable legacy of which his family can be justifiably proud. Dr Katharina Becker and the contributors who have brought these important studies on the hillfort at Rathgall to fruition are to be applauded.’ — Ian Ralston, Abercromby Professor Emeritus of Archaeology, University of Edinburgh

Author Bios

Barry Raftery (16 August 1944 – 22 August 2010) was an Irish archaeologist and academic. He is best known for his pioneering work in wetland archaeology and Iron Age hillforts in Ireland. He was Professor of Celtic Archaeology in University College Dublin (UCD) for more than thirty years, and served as chair of the Department of Celtic Archaeology at UCD from 1996 to his retirement in 2007.

Katharina Becker is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher in the area of Irish later prehistory in the Department of Archaeology in UCC, with a focus on the Iron Age and the Late Bronze Age in Ireland.